19 teams to participate in next MPBL season

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) commissioner Kenneth Duremdes confirmed that there will be an estimated 19 teams that will see action in the upcoming Mumbaki Cup.

During the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum last Tuesday, the former PBA legend stated that a targeted 19 participating teams will grace the next season. Duremdes added that they are hoping to open on June 12.

Newcomer Negros Muscovados will also be welcomed by the league and according to Duremdes, Las Piñas could also be another new entry.

However, the Las Piñas officials confirmed to him that they are yet to secure a letter of intent from the city to join the semi-professional league.

What’s also exciting in the Mumbaki Cup is that the two finalists in the last Lakan Cup, the Davao Occidental Tigers and the San Juan Knights, will return and once again contend for the title.

As of now, commissioner Duremdes and the rest of the MPBL committee are wrapping up their final plans after they already receive the green light for their bubble concept.

If the bubble will be approved, then the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority will let the MPBL borrow two separate venues so that the Mumbaki Cup will finish faster.

“Aabot kami ng 300-plus sa delegation so regarding sa format, again, gumagawa kami ng format ngayon na dalawang venue sa SBMA, simultaneous siya tapos Monday to Saturday. Three games sa first court, three games sa second para mapabilis yung league,” said Duremdes.